In line with the extant Military Traditions, Customs and Ethics, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has held a dubar with troops of Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE at the Command and Control Centre in Maiduguri, Borno State. Col. Sagir Musa, Acting Director Army Public Relations, has said in a statement.

According to him, a total of 300 troops drawn from the various Units and Formations across the Theatre Command attended the occasion, where, as a rare privilege, troops freely interacted one-on-one with the Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. T. Y. Buratai.

At the event, without any restriction, troops were allowed to sincerely bare their minds on issues bothering them either as a group or individually, especially on professional matters like administration, welfare, logistics and general operational situation including progress and challenges.

In his remarks, Buratai commended the troops for their gallantry and sacrifices and enjoined them to be more robust and unyielding in the fight to end terrorism in the North East Nigeria. He requested them to open up to him in case of any problem or issue that he needs to know and address.

He conveyed the appreciation of Mr President, Commander in Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari for their commitment, sacrifices and loyalty to the nation.

Instructively, the Chief of Army Staff used the opportunity to remind the troops of the expectationns of Nigerians as to their ability to keep the country safe, which as an Army, – we must be able to meet or surpass. Few of the major highlights of the durbar session include the need for more patriotism, professionalism as well as the need to reappraise, reorganise and re-plan strategies to boost the operation and defeat the insurgency/terrorism.

Additionally, the need for troops to be mindful of fake news and terrorists’ propaganda was also highlighted during the durbar. The climax of the occasion was that the troops had dinner with the Chief of Army Staff.

They were elated, visibly happy and poured praises to the Chief of Army Staff for the opportunity, and most importantly for his untiring support in providing the required leadership, logistics and equipment to effectively prosecute the war.

Issues that were discussed at the occasion will be disseminated to the rest of the troops in the frontline by the 300 representatives that attended.

Following reinvigorated operational strategies and robust, aggressive and dynamic counter terrorism operations injected into the Theatre Command, Operation LAFIYA DOLE by the Chief of Army Staff, troops have continued to successfully sustain aggressive long range mobile fighting patrols, raids, searches and ambushes which resulted in the recent successes recorded.

Recall the devastating ambush of terrorists yesterday at Goniri Yobe State by the indefatigable and patriotic troops, as well as the resultant recovery of 5 gun trucks and 1 VBL among others. As part of the ongoing Operation HALAKA DODO under 7 Division purview, soldiers of 152 Task Force Battalion, under 21 Special Armoured Brigade, in conjunction with some Civilian Joint Task Force members, embarked on intensive patrols and clearance operations to Nbaga and Gero villages where troops came in contact with the terrorists at Ngaba village.

The sudden attack of terrorists’ camps, simultaneous and swift employment of voluminous coordinated fire power bombardments led to serious destruction of the terrorists’ camps , which forced the criminals to flee their hideouts in disarray, while an unconfirmed number of the bandits were effectively extirpated. Accordingly, 8 women and 6 children were extricated and freed from the terrorists, while their (terrorists) makeshift camps were totally destroyed.

The following items were captured: a. 3 x AK 47 rifles b. 5 bicycles and c. 1 x terrorists’ flag The liberated women and children will be handed over to the appropriate agency for further necessary action.

Similarly, troops of 26 Task Force Brigade located in Gwoza while on clearance operation from Southern Borno axis to Agapalwa village and surrounding localities, troops came in contact with some terrorists which led to an exchange of fire that caused the decimation of one terrorist and the destruction of some terrorists’ camps. (PRNigeria)

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